Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo-Bulawayo Bureau
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi has reaffirmed the Second Republic’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for every child through strengthened education systems, enhanced social protection programmes and intensified efforts to end child marriage, child labour, adolescent pregnancies and online violence.
Officially launching the National Action Plan for Children IV (2026–2030) and the National Child Online Protection Policy in Bulawayo yesterday, VP Mohadi said the two frameworks had been crafted to respond to emerging threats facing children in an increasingly digital and rapidly changing society.
He said the Government had deliberately incorporated new issues such as child online protection, consent, cyber violence and the growing link between child labour and online exploitation.
“I am confident that the National Action Plan for Children IV (2026–2030) and the National Child Online Protection Policy will serve as a comprehensive and adaptive framework for our efforts to respond to the evolving needs of our children,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the two policy instruments would strengthen Zimbabwe’s child protection architecture while addressing gaps identified in previous national action plans.
“I am also confident that this framework will rectify shortcomings of previous plans and encompass a broader range of interventions that will effectively mitigate the impact of violence on children’s lives,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the Government’s vision was not only to formulate policies but also to achieve measurable improvements in children’s lives.
“We should remove our children from the streets, get our children out of the mines and ensure that our classrooms are filled. However, policy on its own cannot overcome deep-rooted cultural challenges,” he said.
“It requires a whole-of-society approach driven by sustained commitment, collaboration and collective action from every sector of society. That is the only way we can succeed.”
The VP said the Government’s “Not in My Village” campaign, implemented in partnership with traditional leaders, was gathering momentum as part of efforts to eliminate child marriage, keep children in school and protect vulnerable minors.
He said the launch of the two frameworks was consistent with the Second Republic’s people-centred development philosophy and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises human capital development and social protection.
“The Government is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for every child by strengthening access to quality education, promoting child welfare and combating violence against children while preserving our heritage and cultural values,” said VP Mohadi.
He said Zimbabwe had recorded significant progress in expanding access to education, with more than 90 per cent of school-age children now enrolled.
The Vice President said programmes promoting girls’ education and school retention had contributed to a decline in dropout rates among adolescent girls, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised communities.
“Through initiatives that promote girls’ education and retention in school, we have registered notable progress in reducing dropout rates among adolescent girls, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds,” he said.
VP Mohadi also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of children with disabilities.
“Every child in our nation matters equally and children with disabilities deserve equal treatment and enjoyment of their inalienable rights,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the Government was expanding inclusive education through the deployment of trained teachers, the provision of appropriate learning materials and improved accommodation for learners with disabilities.
Efforts were also underway to strengthen the early identification of disabilities, community-based rehabilitation programmes and specialised support services, particularly in rural communities.
To improve the welfare of children with disabilities, VP Mohadi said the Government would continue strengthening disability grants, cash transfer programmes and other social protection interventions.
“We will continue accelerating the implementation and enforcement of laws and international commitments that protect the rights of persons with disabilities while investing in accessible public infrastructure, transport systems, assistive technologies and communication tools,” he said.
VP Mohadi called on Government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, communities and persons with disabilities to work together to combat stigma, discrimination and the vulnerabilities affecting children.
“For too long, children in the harshest and most vulnerable circumstances have remained a stain on our conscience and a challenge to our development aspirations. The National Action Plan for Children provides a concrete roadmap, resources and accountability mechanisms necessary to translate our political commitment into tangible protection for every child,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the Government would set clear implementation targets, publish progress reports and continue mobilising resources to ensure accountability and effective delivery of child protection programmes.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to ensure every child enjoys their rights in a safe, dignified and supportive environment, in line with Vision 2030 and Zimbabwe’s international obligations on children’s rights.
In her welcome remarks, Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said Bulawayo Province would continue complementing national efforts to strengthen child protection systems.
She said children today faced increasingly complex threats, including violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, harmful cultural practices, human trafficking, cybercrime and vulnerabilities associated with migration and displacement.
“These realities demand innovative, coordinated and sustainable responses. A fragmented, business-as-usual approach can no longer adequately address these evolving risks. Bulawayo is proud to support national efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable children and strengthening child protection systems,” said Minister Ncube.
